We all have routines. In daily life we use routines to maximize our mental and physical efficiency and effectiveness. If we place ourselves in similar circumstances we feel appropriately prepared and have seemingly accurate expectations for what life will throw at us. However, when talking about performances, the stakes can seem somewhat higher. The drive to perform at our optimal level is a desire that allows for hindering emotional experiences (e.g., anxiety, pressure, anger), and unproductive thoughts (e.g., “I can’t…”, “What if…”, “I am such a…”), to creep up on us, leaving us susceptible to internal and external distractions.
Then, sometimes we remain on auto-pilot. We handle the demands of performing without a hitch. But why leave our ability to prepare for performances to chance? Routines can give us a chance to get into the right state of mind more consistently than hoping we hit that auto-pilot button during take-off.
So how do they work? Just like training and intra-performance routines, they are multidimensional because there are so many things that can impact our ability to perform at our best.
This list is certainly not comprehensive but you can see that managing a multitude of variables could be easier with the application of a comprehensive 
routine that hits all the important aspects of performance preparation. We not only need to find the right mindset but prepare our body physically while making sure our equipment is functional and our performance strategies are in place and we are committed to them. This takes planning and an understanding of where you need to be on some of these variables for optimal performance.
A great place to start is looking at previous personal best performances and noting how you prepared for them. What worked? What could be improved? From this information you can build a routine that covers the physical, mental, technical, and tactical factors impacting your performance. This needs to be written down so it can be rehearsed and used. It won’t take long for you to memorize the flow of your prep work. When you have your list, go through it and give rationale for why it is in your routine. Remember, a performance routine exists to maximize performance multipliers and minimize performance detractors. Only allow things that help our performance to be included in what you do the day before you perform.
This is just the jump-start version. Trust me, there is so much more on pre-performance routines than this! However, planning is a simple way to make a significant improvement in your overall performances.